Saxe Point
Well-Known Member
I moor my 18 Hourston hardtop in Sooke year round. It has canvas that covers the cockpit, extending from the roof to the splash well. A couple of the snaps where it attaches to the splash well broke in the summer, and it wasn't a problem because it still covered the cockpit nicely.
Well, an otter took advantage of the small opening and moved in on the Saturday. I used a bungee cord to try to close up the opening, which is not big. Didn't work, as he moved back in on Sunday. I then used a downrigger weight in a weight mate to hold down the corner and put a board on top as well. Kept him away for a few days but he was back today. Crafty creature.
I pulled the boat out for cleaning and I'm getting new canvas, which was long overdue.
Question is whether I should get the regular snaps along the bottom of the canvas or get the twist lock type, which can't just be pulled off. I've never had an otter problem before when my snaps were all good, but I don't know how resourceful these things can be. Can they pull up regular snaps or am I giving them too much credit?
Maybe I should just get the twist lock ones along the bottom edge out of an abundance of caution, even if it means having to replaced the studs in that part of the boat.
Opinions welcome.
Well, an otter took advantage of the small opening and moved in on the Saturday. I used a bungee cord to try to close up the opening, which is not big. Didn't work, as he moved back in on Sunday. I then used a downrigger weight in a weight mate to hold down the corner and put a board on top as well. Kept him away for a few days but he was back today. Crafty creature.
I pulled the boat out for cleaning and I'm getting new canvas, which was long overdue.
Question is whether I should get the regular snaps along the bottom of the canvas or get the twist lock type, which can't just be pulled off. I've never had an otter problem before when my snaps were all good, but I don't know how resourceful these things can be. Can they pull up regular snaps or am I giving them too much credit?
Maybe I should just get the twist lock ones along the bottom edge out of an abundance of caution, even if it means having to replaced the studs in that part of the boat.
Opinions welcome.